Police warn of phone scam targeting the elderly

WASHINGTON – Montgomery County Police are warning people about a telephone scam after responding to five incidents in the Friendship Heights area since October.

Police say most of the incidents have involved elderly residents.

Victims are called by a suspect who claims to be a “grandchild” that has either been in an accident in Mexico or Canada, or arrested.

The caller will ask for money, and supply the victim with a bank account number to deposit funds into. In two cases, victims have provided suspects with $2,000.

The caller will also ask the victim not to contact any other relatives.

Police advise that if you’re contacted by a suspicious person to get their name and phone number, and tell them you’ll call then back. Don’t give bank account numbers over the phone, and don’t send money to anyone you don’t know.